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The nation's decisive action to ban social media access for young people below 16 is sending ripples internationally. Politicians, child protection groups, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will become a template for other nations.

The European Trend

Across Europe, a rising number of countries are moving toward similar bans.

• Denmark has stated a restriction on social media for under-15s, with the PM arguing that mobile devices and platforms are "robbing our children's innocence". Legislation is expected to be passed next year.
• Norway is preparing to implement a age restriction of 15, highlighting the need to protect children from the "manipulative force of the recommendation systems".
• Ireland is developing a online verification tool to confirm the age and identity of social media participants. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban is "one of the options on the table".
• In The Spanish government, the president has asked the legislature to approve a bill lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
• In The French government, the leader has floated the idea of a ban for under-15s, and a government panel has endorsed a comparable step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
• The government in The Netherlands has advised families to block their youngsters from social media until 15.

Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a non-binding resolution supporting a ban for teenagers under 16 unless guardian approval is given. Even though it highlights of the "compulsive" nature of these platforms, the resolution does not enact binding law.

"A clear age restriction is a solid first step," commented one MEP behind the initiative.

Britain: An Evidence-Based Eye

In the UK, the government has kept open a future ban, emphasizing that "no option is being dismissed" but maintaining any decision must be "grounded in robust evidence".

Earlier, interest built behind a legislative effort to enact limits on social media use by minors, but it was eventually weakened. Nonetheless, the administration vowed to investigate the issue.

Charities have expressed apprehensions. One foundation founded by the loved ones of a teenager who died after encountering dangerous online content contends that a strict age ban might not protect children and could create a "sudden drop-off" of risk when young people turn 16.

"This ban is a answer to the inability of the Silicon Valley to build platforms and apps that are appropriate and age appropriate for minors," commented a prominent peer.

The United States: A Decentralized Approach

Across America, legislation is mostly unfolding at the local government level amid federal stalemate.

• The state of Utah demands parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts late-night use.
• Florida has passed a measure banning under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
• Virginia has approved a rule capping under-16s to a single hour of social media use per day, with extra use needing adult consent.
• Georgia, The state of Tennessee, and Louisiana have also passed bills requiring guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media presences.

Even with bipartisan support and proposals from some politicians to follow the Australian lead, a nationwide ban is right now seen as improbable.

International Perspectives

Apart from Europe and the US, further states are likewise considering moves.

• Malaysia plans to restrict social media for teenagers effective next year.
• The Brazilian authorities has raised the minimum age for Instagram to 16.

But, global agencies take a more nuanced position. A major UN agency has cautioned that blanket prohibitions carry risks and "may even have unintended consequences". The body notes that social networks can be a "critical link" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "replacement" for tech companies to prioritize child safeguards.

As this global debate evolves, the policies of the Australian government and others demonstrate that states globally are less and less content to wait for platforms to self-regulate.